I Am A:
Convention Agenda
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FRIDAY, November 3, 2023
8:00 AM to 8:50 AM Registration - Promenade.
General Session
Adams Ballroom
Zoom ID: 829 725 6345
9:00 AM Opening Ceremonies.
• Call to Order - Tracy Soforenko, President, NFB of Virginia
• Invocation - Stewart Prost, President, Tidewater Chapter, Norfolk, Virginia
• Presentation of the Colors - NFB of Virginia Veterans Pledge of Allegiance - Gerald Meredith, President, Richmond Virginia Blinded Veterans Association, South Chesterfield, Virginia
• Star Spangled Banner - Deborah Jackson, Jackie Greenhow, Deborah Prost, Julie Orozco, and Dana Dishman
• Recognition of Veterans - Gerald Meredith
• Federation Pledge - Collin Bruce, Member, Greater Williamsburg Chapter, Williamsburg, Virginia
• Greetings from Williamsburg Vice Mayor Pat Dent
• Greetings from Our Host Chapter - Bob Meter, President, Greater Williamsburg Chapter, Williamsburg, Virginia
• Convention Arrangements - Joe Orozco, Chairperson, Convention Organization and Arrangements, Arlington, Virginia
9:25 AM National Report - Donald Porterfield, President, National Federation of the Blind of Arizona and Member of the Board of Directors, National Federation of the Blind, Tucson, Arizona.
9:55 AM Seniors Setting Our Course - Silver Bells and DBVI - A partnership empowering blind and low vision seniors.
• Sandy Halverson, Moderator, Arlington, Virginia
• Melody Roane, Director, Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VRCBVI), Richmond, Virginia
• Melinda Pugh, Herndon, Virginia
• Hazel Jones, Richmond, Virginia
• Judy Taylor, Bumpass, Virginia
10:20 AM Action Auction.
10:30 AM Revolutionizing Personal Safety for the Blind: Nathan Green, Chief Operating Officer for Safety Positive Foundation and Advanced instructor for the SEED program, Lexington, Virginia.
10:40 AM Protecting the Rights of All Blind People: Ensuring Civil Rights for Blind Prisoners. Rebecca Herbig, Director of Litigation - Virginia Disability Law Center, Richmond Virginia.
10:55 AM Deep in the Heart of the NFB - Reflections from Virginia’s 2023 McDonald Fellows and Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund Winners.
• Moderator: Mary Durbin, Chairperson, McDonald Fellowship Committee, and NFB of Virginia Liaison, Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund, Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Pam Balensiefen, Ashburn, Virginia
• Nathan Green, Lexington, Virginia
• Bob Meter, Williamsburg, Virginia
11:15 AM Charting A New Course: Running for the Virginia House of Delegates. - Michael Kasey, Past President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia, Fredericksburg, Virginia.
11:25 AM Action Auction.
11:35 AM Finding Your Compass, Finding Your Place in the Blindness Movement - Julie Orozco, Recording Secretary, Potomac Chapter, Arlington, Virginia.
11:45 AM Reports and Announcements.
12:00 PM General Session Adjourns.
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Registration - Promenade.
12:00 PM to 5:00 PM Exhibits and Resource Fair - Taylor Ballroom.
Why read about interesting gadgets when you could experience them? Why take our word for excellent services across Virginia when you could talk directly to the people who offer them? This and much more is at our Exhibit Hall/Low Vision Resource Fair.
12:00 PM to 12:30 PM Box Lunch Pickup - Promenade (Please bring your meal ticket).
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM Rock your Growth: Becoming a Dynamic Leader- Adams Ballroom.
This is an exciting seminar for chapter board members and rising leaders in our affiliate. Do you serve on your chapter’s board or are you seeking to grow your leadership in our movement? Grab your lunch and join us for this interactive session led by Evelyn Valdez, President, Greater Alexandria Chapter and Joanne Wilson, Federation Leader to learn how you can grow your leadership skills and learn from fellow leaders from across the Commonwealth.
1:00 PM Full Colonial Williamsburg Tour - Bus departs from the main entrance.
Friday Afternoon Concurrent Seminars
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Navigating to your Destination - O&M and tech can help you get there - Room D, Domonique Lawless and Jimmy Morris.
How can travel skills and technology come together to help you chart your course and reach your destination? Armed with solid skills and the latest technology tools, you can safely achieve greater independence and chart your own adventures. Come check out our interactive panel discussion and rotate through our workstations to experience tools that can help you effectively and safely get to your goals.
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM First Aid and Emergency Preparedness Training Empowering Safety & Protecting Your Family - Room A and B. Christine Grassman and Braden Flax, Certified CPR/First Aid/AED Instructors.
Do you know how to use a fire extinguisher, how to assist a person who is choking, what to do about a severe cut or burn? What about how to detect a stroke, shock, hypothermia, or hyperthermia? Come to the NFBV state convention in Williamsburg, where Christine Grassman and Braden Flax, Certified CPR/First Aid/AED Instructors will cover such topics. This class is limited to the first twenty class registrants who write to Christine Grassman cfgrassman@icloud.com
4:00PM to 5:00 PM Resolutions Committee - Room A and B, Deepa Goraya, Chairperson.
We encourage the participation of all members in setting Federation policy, and the best way to influence policy is through resolutions. As a grassroots organization, we serve our movement through collective action, and such action begins with policy making and debate. Come help shape the policies of the NFB of Virginia.
4:00PM to 5:00 PM Blind Veterans Meet Up - Room 18, 2nd Floor, Gerald Meredith, Veterans Social President, Richmond Virginia Blinded Veterans Association (RVBVA) and member, Richmond Chapter, South Chesterfield, Virginia.
We invite all those serving and those who have served, family and friends, to meet members and learn about the BVA. Sherri Geiger (VIST Coordinator) of the VA's Visual Impairment Services Outpatient Rehabilitation (VISOR) Program will be present to share information about services. Come out and meet veterans and make some new friends.
Friday Evening Concurrent Sessions and Hospitality
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Registration - Promenade.
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM Public Meeting on DBVI Divisions, Programs and Services - Adams Ballroom, Pam Cato, Deputy Commissioner for Services, Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired.
Zoom ID: 829 725 6345
We are grateful that DBVI will hold a public meeting where attendees can ask questions and speak with agency leadership. DBVI wants to hear from you, so come and share your thoughts and ideas on how DBVI can better meet the needs of blind and low vision Virginians. Let your voice be heard. Virtual participants can email questions and comments for the public meeting at help@nfbv.org
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM At-Large Chapter Meeting - Room D, Jody Silverberg, At Large Chapter Vice President.
Are you interested in joining the NFB but do not live near a chapter? Join our At Large Chapter that meets virtually throughout the year but meets for a great community gathering at the state convention. Join our Federation team!
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Student Dinner Party, Room 18, 2nd Floor, Ally Kelso, President, Virginia Association of Blind Students.
Join the Virginia student division leaders and members for fellowship with old and new friends to kick off the convention weekend. Open and free to all students over the age of fourteen.
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Youth Track: Cookie Decorating and Game Social for Families - Room A and B.
Calling all blind kids ages 0-13, siblings and parents! Join us for cookie decorating and drinks and a chance to meet other families from across the state. Bring any Braille or large print books your child no longer needs and pick up some free books from our free Braille book exchange table. (Email bsellers31@gmail.com with questions and any food allergies we need to be aware of).
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Project RISE Opening Exercises - Room 18.
Project RISE participants, members of the student division, and scholarship finalists are invited to stay for an evening of interactive learning and social skills you can put to work right away in your personal and recreational lives.
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM Williamsburg Convention Hospitality - Harrison and Taylor Ballrooms, hosted by the Greater Williamsburg Chapter.
The Greater Williamsburg Chapter invites you to join us for an evening of music, food and conversation Friday, November 3. Come listen to the local band “Manhattan Affair” led by Tony Ingram. Tony encourages participation and dancing. He performs everything from Sinatra to contemporary tunes. Enjoy a variety of appetizers chosen to fit each member’s specific food requirements. You must register for this program to attend. We are looking forward to hosting this evening, which will give members an opportunity to take a break and reunite with old friends and make new ones.
9:30 PM to 10:30 PM Scholarship Mixer - Room 18, 2nd Floor, Jimmy Morris, Chairperson.
This event is limited to the NFB of Virginia 2023 Jimmy Nelson Scholarship Finalists and the members of the Scholarship Committee.
Saturday, November 4, 2023
8:00 AM to 8:50 AM Registration - Promenade.
General Session
Adams Ballroom
9:00 AM Call to Order - Tracy Soforenko, President, NFB of Virginia.
Invocation - Ameenah Ghoston, Project RISE Mentor and Dallas Theological Seminary Student, Springfield, Virginia.
9:05 AM Why You Should Choose Structured Discovery Training.
• Amy Porterfield, Moderator, President SAAVI Services for the Blind, Tucson, Arizona
• Mary Jo Hartle, NOMC, TBS, Adjunct Professor, Towson University, Lutherville, Maryland
• Neel Sheth, Braille Instructor, Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired, Richmond, Virginia
• Elizabeth Schoen, College Student, Arlington, Virginia
9:25 AM Rehabilitation Services for the Blind in Virginia - Rick Mitchell, Commissioner, Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired.
9:40 AM NFB BELL Academy® : Growing Possibilities for Students throughout Virginia.
• Louise Walch, NFB BELL Academy Coordinator, Virginia Beach Virginia.
• Luise Schmidt-Eisenlohr, NFB BELL Academy Participant, Arlington, Virginia
• Tim Schmidt-Eisenlohr, Parent, Arlington Virginia
9:55 AM Action Auction.
10:00 AM Charting Our Course: Navigating Together, Tracy Soforenko, President, NFB of Virginia.
10:30 AM Empowering Students Through Self Advocacy - Lauren Altman, President, National Association of Blind Students, Livingston, New Jersey.
10:40 AM Action Auction.
10:45 AM Students Depart for Youth Track programming. (Children six years old and younger should be accompanied by an adult).
10:50 AM Introducing the 2023 NFB of Virginia James F. Nelson, Jr. Scholarship Finalists. Jimmy Morris, Chair, Glen Allen, Virginia.
• Kenneth Elijah Calhoun, The College of William and Mary, Aldie, Virginia
• Angie Iraheta Gruessing, University of Mary Washington, Henrico, Virginia
• Casey Reyes, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, Virginia
• Elizabeth Schoen, St. Olaf College, Arlington, Virginia
• Lea Schiefele, The College of William and Mary, Huntley, Virginia
• Kamryn Tynes, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Virginia
11:00 AM Building Confidence Through Parenting Partnerships. Jessica Reed, Virginia Blind Parents Coordinator, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia, Fredericksburg, Virginia.
• Natasha Hubbard, Member, Peninsula Chapter, Hampton, Virginia
• James Shobert, President, Winchester Chapter, Stephenson, Virginia
• Alysha Hiller, Project RISE Deputy Coordinator, Montclair, Virginia
11:20 AM Action Auction.
11:30 AM Why I Am a Federationist. Mausam Mehta, Immediate Past Vice President National Association of Blind Students, New York, New York.
11:50 AM Reports and Announcements.
12:00 PM General Session Adjourns.
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Youth Track - Central Lounge and Room D.
Students will connect with national student leaders in a small group session to learn about our positive philosophy and share what they wish their parents really knew.
12:00 PM to 12:30 PM Box Lunch Pickup - Promenade (Please bring your meal ticket).
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Registration - Promenade.
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Parent and Youth Track Lunch - Room D. Beth Sellers, President.
Network with other parents, learn about resources for your children, ask questions about our programs for students from toddlers to graduate school. Grab the boxed lunch or bring your own, but please join us for our parents’ lunch. Our lunch hour is an informal roundtable conversation for parents of children of all ages with low vision, blindness, deaf-blindness, and multiple disabilities. Find out about fun year-round and summer mentoring, skill building, and social programs we offer across Virginia and across the country. We will also hold a 10-15-minute business meeting.
12:30 PM to 1:45 PM Seniors Division Luncheon and Business Meeting - Harrison Room. Patty Droppers, President.
12:30 PM to 1:45 PM Virginia Association of Blind Merchants Division Luncheon and Business Meeting- Room 2 and 3, Yasiah Hurtado, President, Alexandria, Virginia.
Empower your future and discover your destiny by building your entrepreneurial business. Learn from others in our NFBV Merchants division so you can explore a profitable and engaging future.
12:30 PM to 1:45 PM Virginia Association of Blind Students Business Meeting - Room A and B. Ally Kelso, President, Virginia Association of Blind Students, Burke, Virginia. All students, including Project RISE participants, are invited.
12:30 to 1:45 PM Community Lunch - Room 18
Make friends and build your network in this informal community lunch in our hospitality space.
Saturday Afternoon
Breakout Sessions
1:15 PM to 3:45 PM Parent Track - Room D.
Parents, please join us for a fun and interactive session with multiple guest speakers! We will have opportunities to discuss inclusive education in public schools, going to college with blindness, low vision and/ or multiple disabilities, financial planning for the future, and orientation and mobility in the home and community.
1:15 PM to 4:15 PM Youth Track - Central Lounge
Bring your sighted siblings and join us at interactive stations: 1) orientation and mobility travel tips and tricks for all; 2) Braille literacy fun; and 3) tactile art. (Children six years old and younger should be accompanied by an adult).
2:00 PM to 4:15 PM Senior Track - Staying in the Game - Harrison Room, Patty Droppers, President, Seniors Division.
Join fellow seniors for this exploration of low vision and non-visual techniques including individual instruction and demonstration of nonvisual methods to help you succeed in your kitchen, manage your health, access information, and use accessible cell phones. Learn approaches to care for grandchildren and address safety concerns from within our own families. Build your community of peers and positive role models across Virginia.
2:00 PM - 4:15 PM Charting Your Path to Job Success: Navigating the Workday with Confidence - Room 2 and 3. Mausam Mehta, Coordinator.
Are you ready to embrace your full potential in your career journey? Ever wondered how to advocate for yourself confidently in various workplace scenarios, both in and out of the office? Join us for an interactive seminar designed to empower blind working age adults. In this unique session, we will dive into real-life work scenarios, offering practical role-playing exercises that empower you to advocate for yourself effectively, whether you are in a corporate office, healthcare, education, or any other industry. Gain confidence, build essential skills, and connect with peers who share your journey. Elevate your work and personal life by mastering the art of self-advocacy. Plus, get a few chuckles along the way.
2:00 Pm to 3:00 PM No Holds Barred: Your Real-World Introduction to Effective Debate - Room 18, 2nd Floor, Joe Orozco, Project RISE Coordinator.
In today's evolving job environment, learning how to debate nurtures essential skills in creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. If you learn how to negotiate the monthly bills you want, you will gain the confidence to advocate for the workplace accommodations you need. Open to students and adults, come learn how to cleverly defend your blindness philosophy in a world that tries to tell you it cannot be done.
Self Defense Classes:
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Self-Defense with SEED - A Blind-Centric Approach - Room A and B.
3:15 PM to 4:15 PM Self-Defense with SEED - A Blind-Centric Approach - Room 2 and 3.
Learn your options for defending yourself from unwanted touch during one of two identical presentations of the SEED program, a self-defense system designed BY the blind, FOR the blind. In this brief introduction, SEED Advanced Instructor Nathan Green, a Virginian and member of the at-large chapter, will teach some hands-on techniques that you can use right away to protect yourself. Learn how to be aware of your surroundings, how to de-escalate safety situations, and learn 2-3 hands-on self-defense techniques in this interactive seminar. Both sessions are identical, but capacity is limited to 15 participants per session. To secure your participation, write to Nathan Green at ngreenseed@gmail.com.
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM A Blind Lawyer's Guide to the Legal Profession- Room 18, Lea Schiefele, Coordinator.
Meet successful blind and low vision attorneys and others in the legal field as we discover ways to help each other.
This meeting is a chance for lawyers to come together and share their knowledge and experiences with other lawyers, law students, and students interested in studying law. During the first part of the event, lawyers and students will share knowledge and experiences with each other. The second part of the event will feature multiple discussion groups addressing topics such as LSAT and Bar prep, legal research, trial and appellate advocacy, navigating law school as a legally blind student, and more! Whether you are a lawyer, current law student, or thinking about going to law school, please join us for this interchange of ideas.
4:30 P M to 5:30 PM Blind Parents Meet Up - Room 2 and 3. Jessica Reed, James Shobert, and CJ Fish, Coordinators.
Being a parent is hard. Being a blind parent can appear impossible. Whether you are a current or prospective parent, join the blind parents group as we exchange techniques and continue to build community and connection which will empower us in our parenting journeys.
4:30 PM to 5:30 PM First Timers Reception - Room 18.
John Halverson and Tracy Soforenko, Coordinators.
NFBV Membership Chair John Halverson and President Tracy Soforenko welcome first time Virginia convention attendees to an informal gathering. We want to help you get connected with your Federation Family. Due to space constraints, this Rookie Reception is best suited for first timers.
4:30 PM to 5:30 PM Sighted Partner Meet Up - Harrison Room. Becky Keller and Sharon Soforenko, facilitators.
Share and learn techniques and strategies to support your loved one while ensuring their independence and your own sanity.
4:30 PM to 5:30 PM Parents of Blind Children by the Poolside - Indoor Pool.
Grab the kids and join your new friends by the pool, or if the mood strikes you, in the pool, as the hotel has a nice indoor pool for your convenience. It is the perfect way to relax before the evening's festivities.
2023 Convention Banquet
Adams Ballroom
Zoom ID: 829 725 6345
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Pre-Banquet Reception (Cash Bar) - Promenade.
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM Banquet Program - Adams Ballroom, Tracy Soforenko, Master of Ceremonies and President, NFB of Virginia.
Invocation - Naim Abu el Hawa, Member, Potomac Chapter, Vienna, Virginia.
Banquet Address - Donald Porterfield, President, National Federation of the Blind of Arizona and Member of the Board of Directors, National Federation of the Blind.
2023 James F. Nelson Scholarship Awards Presentation - Jimmy Morris, Scholarship Committee Chairperson.
Action Auction - Jacki Brown, Chairperson and Auctioneer.
Sunday, November 5, 2023
General Session
Adams Ballroom
9:00 AM Call to Order - Tracy Soforenko, President, NFB of Virginia.
Invocation - Althea Pittman, President, Eastern Shore Chapter, Melva, Virginia.
9:05 AM Project RISE: Resilience, Independence, Self-Advocacy and Employment. Joe Orozco, Project RISE Program Coordinator, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia, Arlington, Virginia.
9:15 AM Helping Others Find Their Path: Teaching Structured Discovery Techniques in Africa - Domonique Lawless, President, Richmond Chapter, Mechanicsburg, Virginia.
9:25 AM Achieving Success/Overcoming Obstacles at the College of William & Mary: Lessons in Self Advocacy.
• Rachel McDonald, Ph.D., Pre-Employment Transition Services Facilitator, Center on Transition Innovations, Virginia Commonwealth university, Williamsburg, Virginia
• Lea Schiefele, Law Student, Huntly, Virginia
• Chris Infante, M.Ed., Elementary School Counselor, Richmond Public Schools, Henrico, Virginia
9:45 AM Action Auction.
Note: Project RISE participants should leave the General Session and meet in Room 18.
9:55 AM Brag & Steal - Federation Chapters and Divisions Sharing Their Successes.
10:20AM Action Auction.
10:30 AM Interactive Town Hall Discussion with Donald Porterfield, President, National Federation of the Blind of Arizona and Tracy Soforenko, President.
Bring your questions to this open discussion about your questions about our work in the Federation. Virtual participants can email questions and comments for the town hall at president@nfbv.org.
10:50 AM Action Auction.
10:55 AM Business Session.
• Audit Committee Report - Sean McMahon, Chairperson, Alexandria, Virginia
• Treasurer’s Report - Mark Roane, Treasurer, Richmond, Virginia
• Resolutions - Deepa Goraya, Chairperson, District of Columbia
• Committee Reports
• 2024 Richmond and Washington Seminars - Deepa Goraya, District of Columbia, and Bonnie O’Day, Alexandria, Virginia, Legislative Directors
• Communications - Jacki Bruce, Williamsburg, Virginia
• Public Outreach - Uricka Harrison, Stewart Prost, and Corlis Jones, Co-chairs
• Membership, John Halverson
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Renee Valdez
• Fundraising - Renee Valdez
• 2024 National Convention
• 2024 NFB of Virginia Convention
11:50 AM to 12:00 PM Reports and Announcements.
12:00 PM General Session Adjourns.
Thank you to our Greater Williamsburg Chapter for hosting the 2023 NFB of Virginia State Convention. Your hospitality made us feel like family and it made the convention one of our best.
Thank You to Our Sponsors and Exhibitors